William smith



W. SMITH.

Gun-Carriage.

N0. 847. Patented July 19, 1838.

\ N. PETERS. PNOTO-UTNOGR..FHER. WA HIN TOW D UNITED STATES PATENT OFFIC \VILIIAM SMITH, OF WASIIIN GTON, KENTUCKY.

IMPROVEMENT IN GUN-CARRIAGES FOR NAVAL AND OTHER PURPOSES.

Specification forming part of Letters Patent No. 847, dated July 19, 1838.

To all whom it may concern.-

Be it known that I, \VILLIAM SMITH, of Washington, in the county of Mason and State, of Kentucky, have invented a new and useful Improvement in Gun-Carriages for Naval and other Purposes, which is described as follows, reference being had to the annexed drawing of the same, making part of this specification.

The distinguishing character of this improvement consists in making about fourfifths of the periphery of each truck or wheel of the gun-carriage the figure of a section of a spiral curve and the other fifth nearly flat, instead of a circle, for the purpose of retarding the motion of the carriage as the gun recoils at discharging, and thus prevent the breaking of the breeching,which often takes place when the trucks are made round. The figure of the truck maybe said to resemble a circle,with an inclined plane'fastened to the periphery thereof, so that as the guurecoils the trucks not only have the effect just described, but will enable fewer hands to run the gun out than heretofore.

In training the gun for firing forward or abaft the beam on the old plan, the gun has been moved around on one side of the trucks, thus producing great friction between the trucks and the deck.

In order to accomplish the training without producing this friction, and with the aid of fewer hands to be able to train the gun, I arrange anti-frietion rollers or Wheels in depressions or cavities made in the fiat parts of. the peripheries of the trucks, the axes of which lie parallel with lines radiating from the cen ter on which the gun-carriage swings. This fiat part of the truck extends back from the commencement to the end of the spiral curve or inclined plane.

A represents the gun-carriage; B, the gun; C, the trucks; D, the inclined planes, added to the peripheries; E, anti-friction rollers; F, the commencement of the spiral or beginning of the inclined plane; G, end of the inclined plane.

The advantages of the above-described improvement, presenting themselves so clearly to the minds of all persons acquainted with naval gunnery on a single glance at the drawing annexed, need not, therefore, be more particularly described.

The invention claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent consists in- The peculiar construction of the trucks as above described, for the purposes herein set forth.

\V. SMITH. 

